Automated Store for Selling Articles

ABSTRACT

An automated ( 2 ) store for storing and then distributing articles. The store includes a housing ( 4 ) for receiving closed shipping containers for storage, and for distributing articles to an output ( 20 ) of the housing, which articles were retrieved from inside the shipping containers. The store further includes a sensing means ( 10 ) for determining the position of at least a portion of an outside surface of each one of the plurality of closed shipping containers that have entered into the housing, an automated forming means ( 12 ) for using the determined position specific to each of the closed shipping containers to form an opening in each of the plurality of the shipping containers, a storing means ( 14 ) for storing the plurality of opened shipping containers inside a storage area of the housing, a computer controlled retrieving means ( 16 ) for retrieving an article from inside one of the stored opened shipping containers and further including moving means ( 18 ) for moving the retrieved articles to an output of the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an automated store forselling articles, and more particularly in one embodiment, to a systemfor automatically receiving, opening and storing shipping containers andretrieving articles from the shipping containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an automated store in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical shipping container of the type to bereceived and stored in the store of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate various openings formed in various shippingcontainers.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the store of FIG. 1, having aninput port, including a shipping container sensor/scanner/ID device 62,an interlock area 64, a container storage area 66, an output area 68 anda container conveyor system 70 located between input 64 and output 68. Acustomer interface 72 is also shown, including a touch screen 74 andarticle selection and payment interface devices 76

FIG. 7 illustrates a more detailed view of the input port and customerinterface of the store of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the interior of the housing at the inputend, where the shipping containers pass through a secureportal/interlock area 80, have an opening formed in the containers by arobotic box opening mechanism 82, are conveyed to a storage area 86, andfinally showing a user container 88 which contains articles which wereordered by a user, being moved by a further conveyor 89 toward an outputof the housing 4.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an article retrieval device 84 forthe invention, which uses a first robotic device 90 for positioning theopened containers 29 into and out of the storage area 86, and a secondrobotic device 92 for retrieving articles from inside the openedcontainers by using the openings as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a conveyor system for use in the housingof FIG. 1, having a first conveyor 102 for transporting the authorizedcontainers into the interior of the housing, a second conveyor 104 fortransporting the containers to the opening means, as well as to thestorage means 86, and a third conveyor 106 for transporting the selectedarticles and containers through the interlock area 68 to an output portleading to the exterior of the housing. Note internal and external doors108 and 110, respectively, for the interlock areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a system which is an automated store 2for storing and selling articles. The automated store having a housing 4for receiving closed shipping containers (29 of FIG. 2) into the housingfor storage, and for distributing articles 32 of FIG. 3, to an output 20of the housing which articles 32 were retrieved from inside storedshipping container 29.

In one embodiment, a store including an entry means 8, 80 forcontrolling entry into the housing 4 of a plurality of closed shippingcontainers 29, with at least some of the plurality of closed shippingcontainers having outer dimensions which are different from the outerdimensions of other ones of the plurality of closed shipping containers.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also shows a sensing means 10 fordetermining the position of at least a portion of an outside surface ofeach one of the plurality of closed shipping containers that haveentered into the housing.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows an automated forming means 12 (and 82 ofFIG. 8) for using the determined position specific to each of the closedshipping containers to form an opening in each of the plurality of theshipping containers

The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows a storing means 14 (and 86 of FIG. 8) forstoring the plurality of opened shipping containers inside a storagearea of the housing.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 furthermore shows a computer controlledretrieving means 16 (and 84 of FIG. 8 and 90, 92 of FIG. 9) for enteringinto selected ones of the opened shipping containers located in thestorage area, by passing through the formed opening so as to retrieve anarticle from inside one of the stored opened shipping containers; and

The embodiment of FIG. 1 furthermore shows moving means 18 (and 88 ofFIG. 8 and 106 of FIG. 10) for moving the retrieved articles to anoutput 20 of the housing. Element 6 represents the delivery of theshipping containers to the housing 4, element 22 illustrates thecontroller for the elements within housing 4 and element 24 is auser/customer interface for making selections and payments for obtainingarticles from the store.

Figured 6 and 7 show further details of the automated store described inFIG. 1, further including a customer interface 72 which allows acustomer of said automated store to select a desired one or more of thearticles stored therein. The customer interface can also allow acustomer of said automated store to make a payment for the one or moreof the selected desired articles. An Internet connected communicationdevice for allowing the customer to access said automated store via theInternet, a touch-screen 74 or other selection and/or payment device 76located at the site of the automated store can also be incuded in thesystem. The housing described herein can also include means forproviding a secure environment for the shipping containers and the otherrecited means herein which operate the automated store. The entry meanscan include authorizing means for authorizing the entry into theautomated store of only authorized shipping containers. Furthermore, theauthorizing means can include means for authorizing a delivery person,which delivery person, once authorized, is deemed to supply authorizedshipping containers to said entry means. The authorizing means caninclude the means to communicate with a database in order to confirmthat specific shipping containers were anticipated and pre-authorizedfor entry into the housing. The authorizing means can be enabled tocommunicate in real time to a remote location and/or to a remotelylocated person and/or compute. The authorizing means includes a shippingcontainer identification (ID) device for determining the identity of ashipping container. The shipping container ID device can access adatabase in order to determine one or more of what articles arecontained in the shipping container and how those articles are arrangedn the shipping container, based on its determined identity.

The shipping container ID device can further cooperate with amanipulation device for manipulating the shipping container in order toenhance the ability of the shipping container ID device to determine theidentity of the shipping container. The manipulation device can includeone or more of, a gripper mechanism, a robot, a device that can rotatethe shipping container. The shipping container ID device can include acamera imaging system. The camera imaging system can use image orpattern recognition techniques to identify the shipping container andalso can recognize and identify the articles located inside the openedshipping container. The camera imaging system can include a color imagesensor for sensing attributes of the shipping containers, whichattributes are then and compared with information that is stored on adatabase, either a local or remote location, so as to identify theshipping container. The camera system or other sensor type system can beutilized by the computer control system to enable the guiding of themanipulation device or the article retrieval device. This database cancontain information which is specific to a given shipping container andor a specific article or package which information can be utilized bythe system in conjunction with information generated by the sensors orcamera system in order to facilitate the guidance of the retrievalapparatus and or the manipulation apparatus. This same database can alsobe utilized and/or integrated with the database which is used indetermining the whether a container or package is authorized to be inthe store. The shipping container ID device using one or more of aBarcode Recognition system, an RFID system, a Text reading system, anoptical scanner.

The housing can be one of a fixed structure, such as a stand-alonehousing, a building, or a portable structure, such as a trailer. Thehousing can also be adapted to be located at a position that is one ofabove ground or underground. The housing includes a secure input systemwhich permits only authorized entry OF CONTAINERS OR PEOPLE to placeswithin the housing. The secure input system includes an interlock areahaving an exterior door for preventing entry into the interlock area.The opening of said exterior door is can be enabled TO OPEN when theauthorizing means has authorized the entry into the automated store. Theauthorized opening of the exterior door can also be enabled by utilizinga physical lock and key or other similar type of device. The interlockarea can be adapted to receive, and then automatically passtherethrough, without human interventions, only authorized shippingcontainers. The interlock area can be an area bounded by the exteriordoor and an internal door, where passage of authorized containers pastthe internal door can only occur after said exterior door has beenclosed and a sensor has determined that only authorized persons orshipping containers are in the interlock area.

The system can include a conveyance system for moving Shippingcontainers that enter into the housing to places further within thehousing.

The forming means can operate so as to form said opening in saidshipping container at a location and with a dimension that is specificto the identified typed of each of the plurality of shipping containers,so as to thereby ensure that said computer controlled retrieving meanscan enter the opened shipping container by passing through the formedopening. The system can determine where to create an opening locationinto the box based on information on specific parameters of the box,including for example based on the physical layout of the insides, Theforming means forms said opening by removing from the shipping containera side thereof, removing a portion of the outside surface of saidshipping container, by removing tape which is sealing the opening andthereby unsealing and lifting up flaps of said container, and thenalternatively on other embodiments physically separating said flaps fromsaid container or securing said flaps to exterior side of saidcontainer, for example using tape to tape the flaps to the sides of thebox in the opened position in a manner so as to form said opening insaid container. The system can further include a disposing device fordisposing of material removed from said shipping containers to make saidopening.

The automated store can have storing means also to store thereinreceived shipping containers which have not been opened, so that saidnot opened shipping containers can be delivered to the output of thehousing. The system can also deliver to a user a combination of articleswhich were retrieved from opened shipping containers as well asdelivering unopened shipping containers to the user.

The store has storing means for storing containers which can include aplurality of storage areas for receiving for storage therein saidshipping container. The storage areas can include an arrangement of oneor more bins or racks. The storage means can store the opened or closedshipping containers in a position which is best suited for the articleretrieving device to retrieve articles from the container. This mayinclude storing the shipping container with the opening facing upward ortowards the retrieval mechanism or in another direction which issuitable to the successful retrieval of the articles inside the shippingcontainers. This can include racks that are situated to present thecontainers to the retrieval apparatus, or at an angle, or with theopening facing upward, or with opening frontward with facing towards theretrieval apparatus, or stored in a position which keeps track of thelocation of the inside layout or positions of the articles based on thedatabase information relating to that specific type of container typeand/or article type stored in that container type. The shippingcontainer can be stored in a specific position and with a specificorientation so that, for example, not only is the opening facing acertain direction in the storage location but container may be alsopositioned so that specific sides of the container may be faceing in acertain direction, so that the system can determine where to place theretrieval apparatus in order to be able to grip to one of the packages.

The system can further include a shipping container positioning systemfor moving said opened shipping containers into said storage areas.

The article retrieving device can include a robotic article graspingdevice, which uses a vision system, and/or pattern recognition to guidethe retrieval apparatus for retrieving said articles from said shippingcontainers. The article retrieving device may include a robotic articlegrasping device, which uses vacuum sensing for determining when saidarticle retrieving device has grasped an article. The article retrievingdevice can include one or more of a robotic device, gantries, andgrippers of different sizes and shapes, and methods, for example, thegrippers can be of the type with use one of more of suction cups orelectromechanical gripping devices.

In one embodiment of the invention, an enclosed and secure structure orhousing which can limit people from gaining access into the housing, andmore particularly from gaining access to any of the articles orcontainers located inside the housing, includes a loading port forreceiving a plurality of closed shipping containers, the plurality ofshipping containers can include a variety of differently shaped ordifferently dimensioned shipping containers which contain articlestherein and/or articles to be transported into the housing, a securityauthorization means for ensuring that only authorized shippingcontainers are allowed to either enter into the housing or additionallyor alternatively to be stored in the system, a shipping containerdetection means that enables the system to detect the position and/orlocation of at least a portion of the outside surface of the shippingcontainers which have been loaded into the housing, an opening means forforming an opening in the shipping containers, a conveyance means forconveying the opened shipping containers to storage locations forstoring at least some of the shipping containers, a retrieval means forretrieving articles, and/or packages containing articles, from insidethe shipping containers, a conveyance means for allowing containersand/or articles to be transported from within shipping containerslocated inside the housing to a user of the system who is outside of thehousing and the user of the system can access and remove the articlesbeing distributed from the system. In addition, the system can have auser interface such as a touch-screen video system, typically locatedoutside of the secure housing, in order for the user to communicate withthe system and for inputting data such as order selections into thesystem. Additionally, the system can utilize computer controlled sensorsand other technology including electromechanical sensors, pattern and orimage recognition hardware and/or software in order to identify aspecific shipping container, a specific article or package type, and orthe location and orientation of a specific shipping container or thelocation and orientation of a specific article or package which islocated inside a shipping container The system has a computer controlmeans for controlling some or all of the various apparatus within thesystem including some or all of the apparatus described herein.

In other embodiments, the system can also include the ability toretrieve one of a plurality of articles from inside various shippingcontainers which are stored inside the housing and move the plurality ofarticles into a single user container which is supplied from within thehousing and can include containers such as a paper bag, a plastic bag ora cardboard box.

It is noted that it is not required that the loading port or user accessport be structures that are separate from the housing, and in someembodiments of the invention, the loading and user access port s canutilize the same or different structures as the housing. It is alsonoted that the loading or user access port can be formed using aseparate structure which is connected to the housing. The port mayinclude conveyance apparatus which can include conveyor belts, elevatorsystems, pneumatic tube structures that are connected to or part of thehousing. Additionally, in another embodiment, the port can be a securedoor through which containers or packages are placed or retrievedmanually.

ARTICLE HANDLING

In accordance with the invention, the housing includes apparatus forproviding automatic handling of articles to be located therein.

One type of such automatic handling apparatus includes a conveyanceapparatus for transporting a plurality of containers into the housingvia the loading port and a conveyance apparatus for transporting thecontainers (or articles that were located inside the container), via theuser access port, to a user of the housing who is located outside of thehousing. These conveyance apparatuses can be totally separate from oneanother, or can comprise a combined or even the same apparatus. It isnoted that IN SOME INSTANCES, THE TERM SHIPPING CONTAINER COULD meanVARIOUS typeS of containing deviceS or packaging, such as a boxES,cartonS, bagS, tubeS, etc. Such containers can have one article or itemstored or contained within them and/or can have a plurality of itemsstored within them. In most embodiments, the shipping containers beingreceived by and or loaded into the system are of a wide variety in sizeand or shape and or material thicknesses and may be made of varioustypes of materials such as cardboard corrugated material or for examplepaperboard or other types of packaging materials.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the ASDS includes acontainer identification (ID) system which can identify a containerbeing presented to the housing and which can then enable a controlsystem of the ASDS to determine whether the container is authorized tobe conveyed into the housing or into the storage area within thehousing. This determination by the control system can be based on manyfactors, such as whether the control system was anticipating thatspecific type of container or even the specific unique package at thattime. Additionally, the determination to allow the container into thehousing can be based on whether the control system determines that thereis sufficient space in the housing to store the container. The ID systemcan include a bar code scanner, an RFID device, a camera, an opticalsensor, mechanical sensors or other sensors.

The housing may also include an apparatus for automatically creating anopening in a portion of a container which may include the removal of aportion of a container in a manner so as to not damage the articleslocated therein, the opening created in the container being ofsufficient dimension and location in the container so that articleslocated in the container may be removed from the container.Alternatively, the container may never be opened by the openingapparatus, and transported to the second storage location in an intactand unopened state.

It is noted that various types of known systems can be used formanipulating the container, and/or the cutting instruments for creatingthe opening in the container, such as rotating and/or stationary blades,laser beam cutters, etc. Such cutting devices are know in the industry,see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,486.

A conveyance apparatus is used for bringing the container to a storagelocation in the housing, which storage location can include a shelf,rack or bin The conveyance apparatus may include a traditional type ofconveyor belt or chain driven transport system (powered by a device suchas a motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic system, a screw feed, a rack andpinion, or a piston mechanism or some other mechanical device), and mayor may not be used in conjunction with further article handlingmechanisms, such as a gantry robot, a multi axis articulated arm robot,or some other mechanically based article handling system.

This conveyance to the storage location can be done before or after anyopening is made in the container.

In the event the container is to be opened, once the opening in acontainer is provided, an article retrieving device located in thehousing can access the opening for removing the articles from inside thecontainer, thereby enabling the articles to be transported to a secondlocation. Such transportation of the article to the second location canbe done by the article retrieving device, or can be done in combinationwith a further conveyance apparatus.

In one embodiment the removal of an article from a container can beaccomplished using a gripper. The gripper can include a vacuum basedsuction cup or mechanical claw type gripper or other material handlingmechanism, all of which are commonly know in the art. In order tofacilitate the proper retrieval of items from the container, a roboticdevice utilizing optical, vision, vacuum or other sensors can be used.

It is noted that in a preferred embodiment, a disposal apparatus isprovided for securing to the material, if any, which may have beenremoved from the container to form the opening, so as to transport anysuch material to a disposal or recycling area. Such securing apparatuscan include a mechanical or suction-type gripper, a robotic arm, or someother material handling device. A portion of the apparatus that removesa portion of the container and creates or forms the opening, can alsoform part of the apparatus used to remove and dispose of that materialremoved to form the opening.

It is also noted that the housing could have multiple storage locationstherein so as to accommodate a plurality of containers of similar ordifferent shape and/or size. Each container may have similar ordifferent items or articles inside them. A container could have only oneitem contained inside, while another container could have a plurality ofitems or articles contained inside.

It is noted that the article retrieving device which removed the articlefrom the container, could be all or part of the conveyance apparatusthat puts the article in the second storage location. Alternatively, ethe article can be moved with a separate conveying apparatus to thesecond location.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the second locationcan be or have co-located therewith, a further container, such as anon-returnable bag or box, that is delivered to an end user. Suchfurther container is hereinafter called a delivery container. In oneembodiment, the delivery container can move with the article retrievingdevice so as to be positioned to directly receive one or a plurality ofarticles from the article retrieving device, which articles were removedfrom one or a plurality of containers. Once the article is in thedelivery container, the system can dispense that container with one or aplurality of items requested by the user, to be conveyed out of the useraccess port of the housing and to the end user end user (or a packagedelivery service). Alternatively, the delivery container can be held foran indeterminate period of time in order to receive additional itemsand/or to be held for a few hours, days, or more for later pick-up byend user (or a package delivery service). Thus, the delivery containerreceives the items requested by the end user. In the event that theitems requested are unopened containers, then it is possible that nodelivery container would be used. How about add description of a“palletizer for making larger containers for passing out to theuser/customer . . . ?

The delivery container may be of the type which is preformed beforebeing located in the housing, or it may be of the type which is formedwithin the housing, such forming can be accomplished using any one ofknown carton or bag forming devices, and the carton or bag can be formedso as to have handles to assist the user or a delivery service for thetransportation and/or movement of the container to the end user.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is no delivery container,and the stored articles are delivered directly and individually to theuser waiting at the user access port, via the conveyance apparatuswithout the use of a bag or carton.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the systemcan seal the delivery container, using for example an adhesive tape.Additionally, automatic means can be provided so as to be print orotherwise affix to the container addressee/user information so that thedelivery container is ready to be received by a package delivery servicefor delivery to the end user.

It is noted that the housing of the ASDS can comprise various sections,each section having, for example, a different environmental condition,such as a different temperature or humidity. Such conditions can beattained by the use of air-conditioning or other refrigeration systemlocated in, on, or near the housing, thereby enabling at least a portionof the inside of the housing to be kept air conditioned, refrigerated,frozen and/or in an ambient environmental condition.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a paymentmechanism is associated or otherwise included with the automated storageand distribution system, thereby configuring it as an Automated SellingDevice. For example, when the system and structure comprises a retailstore for the storage and sale of goods, there are several ways a userof the store can access the payment system, such as by:

-   -   i) using an internet/online based access,    -   ii) using an order entry interface device which is located        outside the housing, but in proximity thereto, such as a touch        screen, bar code scanner and menu/list system, or other input        device, to enable users to request one or more of the articles        in the store, or    -   iii) using a user supplied device when the user is in close        proximity to the store, such as a PDA or a cell phone.

Additionally, a variety of end user payment systems may be used inconjunction with the automated selling device for enabling the end userto pay for the articles delivered to him. The end user payment can bemade by cash, debit, credit or other electronic method, and can be madeat the site of the storage system or can be processed via a remote linkwhich can include use of the internet or a cell phone.

The automated selling device can also be accessed using a security codeor other method which methods can include the use of a magnetic card, abiometric device, a PIN number code or other similar system. This willenable a deliver service to deliver or remove articles or packages fromthe enclosure in a secure manner.

Thus, the system can also be used as a sales system thereby distributinggoods in exchange for payment, or alternatively, it can be used as asecure distribution system which prevents access of stored items frombeing retrieved unless a person has authorization to do so, such as adelivery service which is retrieving a parcel from the enclosure forfurther transportation.

In an even further alternative embodiment, the system can be used asboth an automated warehouse for controlling the access of the goodsinside for security purposes, and additionally can also allow items tobe sold from the system as the need may arise.

Therefore, it is possible that the very same system can function at anygiven time as either a secure distribution warehouse and or a retail orwholesale outlet. So for example, a parcel delivery company can use thesystem as a distribution depot for the transfer of goods from onedistribution site to another one or to a final customer where, paymentsare not necessary for accessing the goods or containers inside. Inanother scenario, the very same system can be selling items from thehousing to other persons who are interested in purchasing goods from thesystem.

Additionally, the system can be utilized as a public warehousing ordistribution system enabling people to have items stored in the housingand whereby they can retrieve the items or packages at a time of theirown choosing.

The above noted devices can be accessed by the user via a drive-up orwalk up window.

For enhanced services from the store, a user can access a remote sitevia a remote video and/or audio link to a live person, if the end userat the store needed assistance.

In accordance with a further aspect of a further preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the automated storage and distribution system includes animaging system. The imaging system can be used to identify theorientation of the containers in the housing using sensing mechanisms,such as mechanical sensors, a vision or image or other optical device,as well as a bar code device or radio frequency ID tag device (RFID).

Such imaging system may cooperate with the robotic or conveyorapparatus, in order to assist with re-orientation of the container in amanner so as to prepare it for storage, or for assisting with theforenoted manipulation so as to ensure the container is properly placedbefore forming the opening therein.

The forenoted article retrieval device uses the image system, andadditional sensors (such as suction sensor or further image or proximitysensor) to identify where and how to grab or otherwise secure to thearticles to be removed from the container. It is also noted that thearticle retrieval device may, if desired, grab more than one articleswhen removing them from the container.

Information relating to metrics of the container dimensions, containercontents, opening orientation and instruction set, internal layout ofarticles within the container or carton, color or shape of the articlesor packages inside the container or carton, whether the items containedinside are of a delicate or rugged nature, can all be accessed by thesystem from a database which can be stored at the site of the housing orcan be remotely updated to the system via a remote link, including usingthe internet, a wireless system or a wired communication connection. ENDOF

It is noted that in accordance with a further aspect of a preferredembodiment of the invention, a shipping container which is stored in thehousing, once opened, may be used as a storage container for thearticles, that is, the shipping container is moved to a storage locationwith all the articles still positioned inside the container, and thenthe article retrieval device selectively removes articles from one ormore of the stored containers, in order to fill a request for articlesfrom an end user (i.e., customer). In this way, there is no need to havea person manually load the items discretely into a storage area withinthe housing, since the container in which the items were transported tothe distribution system housing, also acts as the storage device fromwhich the individual items may be automatically retrieved by theretrieval device.

A particular advantage of the present arrangement is that it provides anautomatic, i.e., non-human contact, process which allows an end user toobtain individual ones of articles that are shipped in bulk in a sealedcontainer from a manufacturer. That is, the shipping containers receivedinto the housing could have been “sealed” at the factory or warehouse ofthe manufacturer of the articles, and an end user can obtain one or moreof the articles from inside one or more of the various containers storedinside the housing, in a manner that does not involve human contact tothe articles.

As noted above, in another embodiment, the system can distribute and orconvey unopened containers as well as items from opened containers tothe user access port. This may be desirable since some containers mayonly have one item inside, or a given user may wish to retrieve orpurchase a full carton of a specific item.

In an even further aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention,once all the articles have been removed from the shipping container, thedisposal apparatus attends to disposal of the container. In oneembodiment, the apparatus may convey the empty container to a disposallocation with one or more compacting devices that may be located in orattached to the housing.

In an even further aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention,metrics regarding the container are, in advance, and either remotely ordirectly, input to a computer controller of the automatic storage anddistribution system, which metrics provide information to the visionand/or opening devices. Once the container and its contents have beenidentified, specific to attributes of various ones of the containers andthe articles positioned therein can be used to determine and or controlfurther handling and transportation of the container and its contentsinto and around the inside of the system.

Additional feature of a preferred embodiment can include remote videomonitoring of the system which can monitor any part of the processwithin the housing so that if there is a malfunction, a computer or aperson at a remote location can assess the situation and can evenremotely take control of the system in order to rectify a given problem.

Additionally, a person loading containers to the port or the housing canbe required to input an authorization code through one of variouselectronic means, including a magnetic card, a PIN number, a fingerprintreader or other method which would enable that person to activate asecure port thereby enabling him to load a container into the housing.Both the loading port and the user access port can be designed to besecure, thereby not allowing any person access into the housing area orthe storage area. So, while a person may be authorized to deliverpackages or cartons to the housing, that same delivery person has noaccess to the inside of the housing and he cannot access any containersor packages which are located inside the housing. In this way, theperson delivering the containers does not have to be a person who theowner of the distribution system has any prior dealing and there is noneed to have any relationship of trust or otherwise in order for thedelivery person to facilitate the loading of containers or packages intothe housing of the distribution system.

A particular advantage of the above system and its various embodiments,as compared with prior art storage and distribution systems, or retailstores, is that a significant cost of such prior art systems is due tothe labor involved in moving cartons (with or without further articlespositioned therein) from the manufacturer to an intermediatestorage/distribution facility and then to the location where the userwill pick-up the articles (i.e., such as onto the shelf of the retailstore). Such shipping, storage and handling costs experienced by thearticle manufacturer and the store owner/operator are ultimately passedon to the end customer, as reflected in a higher final sale price of thearticle. On the other hand, the system of the invention allows thestorage and distribution system (i.e., a retail store or a warehousedistribution system built according to the present invention) toleverage existing article transportation infrastructure and services,such as the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fex Ex) orother general trucking and transportation companies, to deliver thecontainers to the housing of the inventive system. These existingtransportation service company's typically provide for articletransportation to literally any place on the globe at a highly efficientand competitive price. Thus, by using such service company's forcontainer transportation and loading of a structure in accordance withthe present invention, this feature results in a significant savingsover an article manufacturer having to distribute his products on hisown, thereby requiring a fleet of trucks, drivers and a plurality ofcentrally located distribution centers as well as all of trustworthypersonnel required to stock the shelves and or pick the products.

The system of the invention also includes automated systems inside thehousing which attend to the initial sorting, final storing and thenultimate distribution of the articles to the end user, all withoutadditional costs for employee labor or providing the physical andfinancial infrastructures needed for employees. Thus, many of the“manpower” and “real estate” costs involved in the operation of a retailstore or a distribution warehouse are avoided. Such costs include: therequirement to provide an environment “habitable” to employees, such assufficient area for them to work and sufficient light, air, heat etc., aplace for them to take care of personal needs, such as a bathroom, theprovision of vacation time, time off, administrative and managementemployees to oversee lower level employees, etc. All these costs areavoided, as well as all of the other overhead and indirect costs ofemployees. Without employees, the size of the store can be limited tonot much more than is need to actually store and distribute the articlesto be dispensed, and the real estate required to meet such habitabilityneeds of employees is avoided.

A further advantage relating to the fact that the above handling of thecartons and articles inside the housing is accomplished in a mechanizedand automated way, without human intervention, is that:

-   -   the loading of the housing with the cartons can be accomplished        by an unskilled person, such as the truck driver/carton delivery        person,    -   employee and third-party delivery person related issues, such as        article and monetary theft, as well as article damage due to        mishandling, is avoided.        These advantages result in real cost savings for the automated        store owner/operator, and allow for greater profit margins        without increasing the-cost of the articles being dispensed as        compared with traditional stores.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certainembodiments, numerous modifications, alterations and changes to thedescribed embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere andscope of the present invention, as defined above. Accordingly, it isintended that the present invention not be limited to the describedembodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the abovelanguage, as well as equivalents thereof.

In accordance with the above description, the present inventionincludes, among other features:

-   -   1. an enclosure    -   2. a port which enables transfer of packages into the enclosure,        this port can include a means for controllably blocking access        into the housing,    -   3. a port which enables transfer of packages out of the        enclosure, this port can also include a means for controllably        blocking access into the housing, and,    -   4. means for removing of a portion of packages in the enclosure        so as to make an opening, so articles stored therein can be        automatically, and without human contact or intervention,        removed from the package.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention:

-   -   at least one package which has been transferred into the housing        though the port includes a plurality of “articles” therein.    -   the articles can include a further package that contains more        articles.    -   the package opening device includes a cutting device, for        cutting the package to make the opening.    -   Further including an article retrieving device located in the        enclosure for removing articles from a package using the        opening, and transferring the articles to a further location.    -   providing to the user goods that are retrieved from a location        in the enclosure upon the users request.    -   where the further articles were received into the enclosure in        one or more packages which were sealed by the supplier of the        articles, and the articles were delivered to the end user at the        retrieval of the housing by fully automatic means in the        housing, so that the articles are removed from the sealed        packages and then delivered to the user all without human        contact.

Furthermore:

-   -   1. the further location may be a predetermined storage location        in the enclosure, or    -   2. the further location may be the user access port.    -   3. Where the further location may be a “dispensing container”        which is provided to the user via the user access port    -   4. Transfer means are located inside the housing to transfer at        least one of the packages from inside the housing to outside the        housing through a port,    -   5. Where an article retrieval device provides the articles to        the transfer means from a storage location inside the housing.    -   6. Where that port can restrict access to the packages which        remain inside the enclosure. (I think this is redundant)    -   8. where the in and out port are the same, or    -   9. where the in and out port are different.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention includes:

-   -   1. an enclosure    -   2. a port which enables transfer of packages into the enclosure    -   3. a port which enables transfer of packages out of the        enclosure, and    -   4. Further including a conveyance system for transferring the        packages from the portal into the enclosure, the conveyance        system including:        -   a. Means for identification of the package +/or articles            inside the package        -   b. Apparatus for analysis of the orientation of the package        -   c. Apparatus for manipulation of the package based on the            orientation analysis        -   d. Apparatus for determination if the package is acceptable            to enter the enclosure            -   i. where the Determination is based on bar code/input                scan of the package,            -   ii. where the Determination is based on what the housing                was expecting via advance knowledge, such as via a                wireless connection

In another embodiment, the invention comprises:

-   -   1. enclosure for storing packages therein, having a loading and        user access port    -   2. a conveyor for transporting packages into the enclosure,    -   3. A system for removing a portion of a package after being        transported into the enclosure, the portion being removed        creating an opening in the package from which individual        articles may be removed, and    -   4. An article retrieving device located in the enclosure for        removing articles from the package via the opening and        transferring the articles to a further location.        -   a. Where the further location is a storage location in the            enclosure        -   b. Where the further location is the user access port.

Business methods in accordance with the invention include using theabove-noted enclosure and apparatus to make an automated package/articlestorage and retrieval system which can use the shipping facilities of“common carriers” to “load” the enclosure with the packages and articlesto dispensed to the end users.

This method allows multiple manufactures, each making a differentarticle, so ship their items in bulk to a given enclosure, whichenclosure can then “load itself” without human intervention, therebyresulting in significant cost savings in shipping, as well as reducedpersonnel costs at the enclosure.

by opening/unsealing flaps of said container, and then physicallyseparating said flaps from said container or securing said flaps toexterior sides of said container in a manner so as to form said openingin said container.

The Fully automated system can be sealed and no human intervention tooperate to allow containers having some of which shipping containershaving different external dimensions than others of the shippingcontainers in, an opening means, and whereby the opening means canadjust/be adaptable to opening shipping containers having various outerdimensions, and having means for adjusting the opening of the shippingcontainer, and using the attribute information for determining unless aproper an authorization code is received by the system it will prevent acontainer(s) from proceeding to the container opening means.

The following are some of the situations which the system can operate asto:

-   -   Where the plurality of packages within a given box are of the        same type (identical items)    -   Where the packages within a given box are of a variety or mixed        product types (bags of different flavors, size, type of product)    -   Where the retrieval device goes into the box to retrieve the        packages    -   Where the plurality of packages are (pre-packed) positioned        within the box such that the (possibly without divider walls,        possibly random, organized in a pattern such as being organized        into rows, columns, stack and or layer.)    -   Where packages are made from flexible packaging materials, such        as a bag or pouch (as opposed to rigid packages, such as        bottles, boxes, cans, rigid or semi-rigid containers [such as        yogurt or cottage cheese container type])        -   Where the flexible packages are easily deformable and tend            to shift within the box and therefore for the retrieval            device to determine the position to pick the product from            can be challenging due to the unpredictability of the            package location within the box.    -   Where the packages are positioned in the box in a manner that is        at least somewhat disorganized and or stored in a random manner.    -   The retrieval apparatus itself, (or the conveyance systems, or        handling) can also cause the packages to become disorganized or        less organized than they were originally when they were        originally packed (Originally packed means for example how they        were packed into the box at the point when the box was shipped        from a different distribution point, such as at the factory        where the products were produced or at a remote warehouse where        they were packed into the carton.

The system can automatically opening a shipping carton, and Using theshipping carton as the storage container from which orders can beautomatically picked and deal with the Tremendous variety andvariability of different shipping carton types, shapes and sizes,different package types (bags, boxes, bottles), shapes and sizes, andthe tremendous variety of physical orientation of packages within theshipping cartons, different temperature zones these cartons must bestored in. In some prior systems, there is a requirement for a person tomanually open up the shipping carton and transfer the packages to adispensing bin. Regardless of the type of product being transferred andregardless as to how the packing arrangement was in the shippingcontainer, the packages then had to be arranged in a specific mannerrequired for the dispensing mechanism to operate properly. So, packagesof different types having different sizes and shapes which wereoriginally packed into their ORIGINAL SHIPPING CARTONS, each differentitem type having been arranged in a variety of ways and which

Packages are organized in an organized manner which is the same fromitem type to item type. This loading pattern (including random patternor no pattern) is dictated by the dispensing or retrieval mechanism.

Shipping container is able to be used as the storage container fromwhich articles are retrieved

The system combines Intelligent box opening combined with intelligentbox manipulation/positional storing which enables the article retrievaldevice to have the ability to predetermine how and where the retrievaldevice needs to be manipulated in order to retrieve the articles.

The system can include a Package ID system for Authorizing Package Inputand Moving the loaded box/bag to the customer retrieval area, or seatingthe box, or labeling box with shipping information for destination, orstoring box in a queue area within or associated with thehousing/system, and or an authorized person can present ID to themachine and then can be authorized by the control system to remove thecontainer

The delivery to the system:

Can be a truck with a driver, or can be multiple delivery agents, or caninclude a plurality of unrelated trucking or transportation entitieseach with their own identification codes

Can be offloaded from a truck by hand, By automatic conveyor system, bypallet, with a forklift.

The Shipping container can be identified as a specific type ofcontainer, or as having a Specific type of article contained therein, oras having identification including bar code markings, graphics, text,symbols, or an RFID tag.

The shipping container may have been closed or sealed using tape, usingglue, using staples. The shipping container can be a box, made ofpaperboard, cardboard, plastic, corrugated material or some othermaterial. The shipping container can be a formed bag, which can havedifferent sizes and or shapes and can be made from various materialsincluding plastic, or including paper.

The shipping container can have a plurality of articles therein, wherethe at least one article can be a package, and where the package canhave at least one article contained therein.

The packages which are stored in the shipping container can be stored inan organized manner such as in rows, columns, layers, whereby some ofthe packages are occluded by other packages and where a plurality ofpackages within a specific container are stored with the front facingsof the plurality of packages facing in various directions or whereinpackages are stored in a manner such that they could shift theirposition during transport or further wherein where the articles arestored in the shipping container in a random manner.

The Types of articles can be various and can include items such as food,electronics, components, paper goods

The Types of packages can be various as well and can include bottles,cans, bags, cylinders, pouches

The articles within the shipping container can be identified, as aspecific type of article or as being a specific type of package, or as apackage having a specific type of article contained therein

The package can have an identification including bar code markings,graphics, text, symbols, or RFID tag which the various types of sensorsand or cameras can detect to identify the packages and their orientationor position within the opened shipping container

The Housing can be one that houses the components and systems of thedescribed automated store, and provides a secure environment for thecontainers and apparatus of related to the system and can be astand-alone building, or can be a portable trailer, or can be aboveground or underground, or be as small or large, or can be housed in acabinet the size of a room or a large building, can be made of wood,metal, masonry, plastic or other construction materials.

The Input port opening can be an opening in the housing for allowingpackages to enter into the housing which opening is large enough toallow packages of various sizes and shapes to enter into the housing

Computer Control System and can be PC, embedded controls, mechanical andor electromechanical relays, at least partially remote, and can havehardware which can be located fully within or proximate to the housing,or Which can be at least partially remote, and or which can communicatewith computer systems at remote locations, and which can be linked to anetwork or communications link, and which can operate a video interfacefor communicating with users of the system, and which can operate avideo and or audio communications link to enable people at the store tocommunicate with people or computers at a remote site.

The system has software which has a database which can be local orremote the store, and has ability to monitor inventory levels, and hasability to control all of the apparatus within the system and or housingwhich can send information over the internet to users, customers,suppliers, maintenance personell, owners, investors, lenders in thestore, and other interested parties and Can be operable to shut downpart or all of the systems operations in the event of a malfunction.

The Delivery Person Interface enables authorization for proceeding withdelivery and has the ability to identify (and or validate identity) theDelivery person/entity and the ability to confirm that the specificdelivery was anticipated and pre-authorized based on the order databaseof control system. Also it can have the ability to communicate viaemail, video conference, video phone, wireless voice etc. and in realtime to a remote location and or to a remotely located person and orcomputer for example, for the purpose of dealing with any issuesrelating to the delivery A badge, bill of laiding, pin code, biometrics,other code etc. may be used to activate the authorization.

Shipping container identification/ID device can determines what theshipping container is, its contents, its identity and can determine theshipping container contents, type, packed quantity, article size,

The system may be designed to manipulate the shipping container in orderto better sense the shipping container's attributes by utilizing agripper mechanism, or by using a robot, or by using a device that canrotate the shipping container. It can utilize a camera with image orpattern recognition software, or a Barcode Recognition system, or anRFTD system, or a Text reading system, or An optical scanner, or othertype of sensor, or a mechanical or electromechanical switch, or lightbeam, or a color recognition sensor, and by determining attributes ofthe shipping containers and comparing that information with informationthat is stored on a database, either a local or remote one it can Feedthe ID information to Control system database to determine whethershipping container should be allowed to pass into the system.

The secure portal can be a secure input is restricted to allow onlyauthorized entry into the housing In order to gain entry into thehousing, a shipping container must move through a first opening, andwhere entry through the opening is typically prevented by an exteriordoor (barrier, gate, fencing, bars or other physical security mechanism)which may be located near, adjacent to or indirectly connected to theexterior of the housing and Whereby the authorized opening of theexterior door is enabled by an authorization code Whereby the authorizedopening of the exterior door is enabled by utilizing a physical lock andkey or other similar type of device etc. and Once a package passesthrough the external opening, the package is situated in an interlockingsecurity holding area. This can utilize two doors that open and close inconjunction with one another so as to prevent unauthorized access intothe system by a shipping container or person. Further passage beyond thesecurity holding area is typically blocked by an internal door. Theinternal door will not open until and unless the exterior door has beenclosed. This arrangement of at least two doors together with a securityholding area is intended to prevent unauthorized entrance of a person,shipping container or other object. Additionally, the system can utilizecameras, motion sensors, infrared sensor and or specialized detectionsoftware and or other similar devices for determining that no person iswithin the security area before the system will enable the interiorsecurity door to be opened. Additionally, the system can have camerasmonitoring the security area of the system so that a person or computerat a remote site can monitor the activity in the loading area orsecurity area of the system.

The system has a security area for preventing unauthorized objects orpeople from gaining entrance into the system. The portal into the systemhas a security area beyond the portal opening where one or a pluralityof shipping containers can be located after the shipping containers areplaced onto the conveyance means delivery person, whereby the system canclose the external security door . . . so that a person cannot gainentrance into the system during package loading.

Shipping containers are loaded onto a conveyance system for movingpackage into the housing shipping containers can be loaded into thesystem, and or onto a conveyor system, directly into a security holdingarea, and by placing a container on a surface within the housing, or bya transport device located in the housing which picks up a container andmoves transports it for example, by a robot, by a gantry, by a crane orother means. And it can move them by loading one shipping container at atime, or by loading a plurality of containers at a time, or by placing apallet of shipping containers at the opening to the housing. Andtheystem may be equipped with means for moving shipping containers froma pallet to a point within the housing and towards a container openingmeans. The system can also be used in conjunction with a de-palletizer.

Container opening device with an automated forming means for using thedetermined position specific to each of the closed shipping containersto form an opening in each of the plurality of the shipping containers,which formed opening may include cutting the container material, cuttingthe tape, opening the flaps, and or cutting off the flaps. The openingis positioned and dimensioned in a manner that is specific to theidentified typed of each of the plurality of shipping containers forallowing automated retrieval of articles from inside of the openedshipping containers, ie. where they are stored in rows, columns,removing from front, top side etc., so for example it can be leaving acertain amount of lip not cut off so as to act as a retainer or cut thebox in some other place or manner.

The system can use a disposing device for material removed from me tomake opening for recycling it.

The article retrieving device for removing the articles from thecontainer Article retrieving device retrieving articles via opening AnRetrieval Apparatus for Retrieving articles from the opened boxes fororder picking, using robots, vision systems, Retrieval apparatus usingvision systems and pattern recognition to guide the retrieval apparatusin picking, Retrieval apparatus which use vacuum sensing for determiningwhen they have secured to a package, Robots, gantries, grippers,different sizes and shapes of suction cups, electro-mechanical grippers.

The system can Cooperate with user selection system, for retrievingselected articles and with the Packaging system inside the system whichcan cooperate with user selection system, for generating a User Packageof user selected articles.

One of the advantages of the system is that various delivery personell,such as a plurality parcel services, trucking companies etc. that do nothave to have any particular relationship of trust with the facility can“load” the system . . . in other words, the concept where an automatedsystem such as a vending system or automated retail, which traditionallyrequires a trusted agent or employee to go and gain access to priorsystems in order to load new articles into the system and where theseemployees are dedicated specifically to loading the automated machines,and their trucks and warehouses and logistical systems are allspecifically dedicated to dealing with and loading the prior machines,and since these people, trucks and equipment are all dedicated only tomanaging the equipment of a and a key requirement of the specific retailor vending operator having dedicated resources, for example, people andtrucks to service and load the systems is that the operator must haveemployees whom he can have significant trust in and a formal businessrelationship with since, he needs to rely upon the dedicated loadingperson to load carefully and properly, load items in the correct placebe honest and not to steal from the system when the loading person tothe operator or owner of the automated retail or vending system, it isnot possible to fully benefit from the economies of scale that wouldoccur if the system was rather able to be loaded automatically andleverage the existing efficient general transportation industry. Byhaving the box opening and loading into the system being fullyautomated, the owner or operator of the system does not need to have atrusted person “load” the machine since the only requirement is to havethe boxes be delivered to the system and placed on the conveyor system.One of the many great advantages to this system is therefore to enablean operator or owner to utilize common carriers or general andnon-dedicated transportation companies to deliver the boxes since thereis no longer a need to have a trusted person open boxes, or loadarticles into the system.

Most prior systems in automated stores and or automated vending systemsutilize dispensing devices or retrieval apparatus that are designed todispense or retrieve articles from highly organized rows or columnswhich are specific in nature to the given system and which are intendedto be loaded in a particular way so as to enable the particulardispensing or retrieval mechanism to properly dispense or retrieve thearticles. Due to this requirement of prior systems, a person mustmanually remove the articles from their original shipping containers andmanually load them into the bins, compartments or other storage systemsof the particular vending or automated store system.

Therefore, except for situations where articles which are packed intospecial shipping container which are specifically designed to fit into aspecific type of retrieval or dispensing system, most shippingcontainers are not suitable to be simply put into an automatic apparatusand retrieved from a typical vending or automated store system.

1-59. (canceled)
 60. A secure automated retail store for storing,selling and distributing articles, the secure automated retail storehaving a housing which is operated by computer control so that no peopleare required to be inside of the housing for either of receiving closedshipping containers into the housing for storage, or for selling anddistributing articles to a customer at an output of the housing, whicharticles were retrieved from inside of stored ones of the shippingcontainers, comprising: a secure entry means controlled by a computerfor receiving a plurality of closed shipping containers at an entrypoint thereof, said entry means being controlled by said computer sothat automatically and without human manipulation only closed shippingcontainers which are authorized for entry into the housing, are passedfrom said entry point into the housing, said entry means including aphysical barrier controlled by said computer so as to automaticallyprevent people from entering into a storage area of the housing wheresaid shipping containers are stored, and where at least some of theplurality of closed shipping containers which are entered into thehousing have outer dimensions which are different from the outerdimensions of other ones of the plurality of closed shipping containerswhich are entered into the housing; an automated forming means forautomatically and without human manipulation forming an opening in aplurality of the shipping containers which have been entered into thehousing; an automated storing means for automatically and without humanmanipulation storing the plurality of opened shipping containers insidea storage area of the housing; a customer interface for allowing acustomer of said automated retail store to select a desired one or moreof the articles stored therein, and to make a payment for said selectedone or more articles; a computer controlled retrieving means forautomatically and without human manipulation entering into selected onesof the opened shipping containers located in the storage area, whichsaid retrieving means passes through the formed opening in selected onesof the shipping containers so as to retrieve said customer selectedarticles from inside selected ones of the stored opened shippingcontainers; a secure output means controlled by a computer so thatautomatically and without human manipulation only retrieved articles arepassed from inside said storage area to an output of the housing, saidoutput means including a physical barrier controlled by said computer soas to automatically prevent people from entering from said output intosaid storage area of the housing where said shipping containers arestored; and a computer controlled moving means for automatically andwithout human manipulation moving the retrieved articles to said outputof the housing.
 61. The automated retail store of claims 60, where theentry means includes authorizing means for authorizing the entry intothe automated retail store of only said authorized shipping containers.62. The automated retail store of claim 61, where the authorizing meansincludes a shipping container identification (ID) device for determiningthe identity of a type for the shipping containers.
 63. The automatedretail store of claim 62, where the shipping container ID device canaccess a database in order to determine one or more of what articles arecontained in the shipping containers and how those articles are arrangedin the shipping containers, based on their determined identity.
 64. Theautomated retail store of claim 63, where the shipping container IDdevice cooperates with a manipulation device for manipulating theshipping containers in order enhance the ability of the shippingcontainer ID device to determine the identity of the shippingcontainers.
 65. The automated retail store of claim 64, where themanipulation device includes one or more of a multi-axis grippermechanism, a multi-axis robot, or a multi-axis device that can rotatethe shipping container.
 66. The automated retail store of claim 62,where the shipping container ID device includes a camera imaging system,which camera imaging system uses image or pattern recognition techniquesto identify the shipping containers.
 67. The automated retail store ofclaim 66, where the camera imaging system includes a color image sensorfor sensing attributes of the shipping containers, which attributes arethen compared with information that is stored on a database, at either alocal or remote location, so as to identify the shipping containers. 68.The automated retail store of claim 61, where said secure entry meansand said secure output means each include an interlock area having anexterior door for preventing entry into the interlock area fromlocations exterior of the housing.
 69. The automated retail store ofclaim 68, where opening of said exterior door of said entry means isenabled when the authorizing means has authorized the entry into theautomated retail store.
 70. The automated retail store of claim 68,where said interlock area is an area bounded by said exterior door andan internal door, where passage of authorized containers past theinternal door can only occur after said exterior door has been closedand a sensor has determined that only authorized persons or shippingcontainers are in the interlock area.
 71. The automated retail store ofclaim 60, where said forming means operates so as to form said openingin said shipping containers at a location and with a dimension that isspecific to the identified type of each of the plurality of shippingcontainers, so as to thereby ensure that said computer controlledretrieving means can enter the opened shipping container via the formedopening.
 72. The automated retail store of claim 60, where said formingmeans forms said opening by one or more of the following techniques: i.removing from said shipping container one or more sides thereof, ii.removing a portion of the outside surface of said shipping container,iii. by opening/unsealing flaps of said container, and then physicallyseparating said flaps from said container or securing said flaps toexterior sides of said container in a manner so as to form said openingin said container.